The Open will have a positive impact for the whole of Northern Ireland I have had the privilege of working in tourism during an exceptional period of transformative growth over the last decade There is no doubt that hosting the Open in 2019 was one of the proudest moments during that time with record breaking numbers of attendees making it the first ever Open Championship to sell out and an experience that epitomised our ‘Giant Spirit’ The fact that it is coming back for the second time in six years is a reflection of just how successful the event was last time around At Tourism NI we are delighted to have the opportunity to once again showcase to the world what a fabulous tourism and golfing destination Northern Ireland has become building on the success of last year’s Irish Open at Royal County Down At this month’s Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting DUP Alderman Mark Fielding asked for an update on the Portrush water play area which has been vacant since its closure in February 2020 Ald Fielding reminded members that Portrush’s defunct Dunluce Centre was sold last year for £1.25 million and constituents’ attention is now on Waterworld and other council facilities no longer in use Plans for the Dunluce Centre include a children’s amusements and Ald Fielding noted that he had received queries about Waterworld from constituents in Portrush and beyond “I think five years is a long time and I’m sure there are reasons why it hasn’t been put on the market but do we sell it in the open market or as an indoor water leisure facility These are the questions that need to be asked” with it being broken into and different things so [is council] in a position where we can say we’re going to sell it?” said officers planned to “progress with Waterworld” alongside a number of other council assets “At the minute our solicitors are working in terms of the title and perfecting that so that whenever a decision is made and it has all come through Land and Property we can progress with that.” “We have a number of assets which are surplus to requirement and we’ll start working through those in terms of priority “There is a vacant post at the minute [for] a Strategic Asset Manager so we’re going to finalise that job description and that post will be responsible then for progressing those assets through “But all of these will come through the Land and Property subcommittee in accordance with the Estate Strategy and our policies and procedures hopefully in the not-too-distant the future “But in the meantime we’re going to weigh the background in terms of perfecting the title so when it comes for decision the due diligence is done.” WhatsApp: 07311 700 250 Privacy Policy 2025 at 6:00am BSTPetrolheads set to flock to the seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart on Easter Sunday for an annual car cruise have left locals ‘scared’ amid reports of antisocial behaviour – but car enthusiasts insist they mean no harm The neighbouring seaside towns have long been a popular location for car enthusiasts to gather at weekends and on Easter Sunday for the annual car cruise have been promoting the return of Port Sundays and the Easter Sunday cruise with TikTok videos showing modified and classic cars in the area gaining tens of thousands of views Councillor Richard Stewart told The Irish News that locals are scared ahead of the event amid reporting of abuse and egging by some participants among other antisocial behaviour “It’s difficult to stop because it’s not an official event. “But this isn’t just an Easter problem – it happens every Sunday from around St Patrick’s Day until mid-September, especially when the weather’s good. “Some businesses now close early on Sundays because they’re not getting the same footfall. “We always say everyone is welcome – but we ask that people are respectful when they visit.” Speaking about the issues surrounding the event, he said that the antisocial element is in part down to a lack of police resources on the ground. “The backfiring cars are frightening people,” he said. “We’ve had incidents of eggs being thrown from cars, passers-by being sprayed with water pistols, and people shouting abuse out of windows. “Look, I get it – I was 19 or 20 once, driving around in my wee done-up car. But back then there was more respect – for the place and for people. And there was a much stronger police presence. Now, you’re lucky to see a police car at all. “The police just don’t have the resources anymore. “We’re not telling people not to come – but we are asking them to be respectful of residents and the local community. “We say we’re welcoming people to our town – but a lot of people here are scared.” In recent weeks, police have issued warnings they will seize cars in Portstewart and Portrush with checks set up to flout anyone breaking the law. When asked about the reports of anti-social behaviour, Rhys Lockhart of Port Car Scene told The Irish News that he acknowledged there had been some problems. “Of course, there’s always going to be a few who spoil it for everyone else,” he said. “We actually get a lot of support from local businesses – chip vans and food spots. I know some people feel we’re a nuisance because of the traffic, but there are definitely businesses that benefit from the cruise. “We always stress the importance of respecting the area and the people who live here. “The Easter cruise has been running for over 30 years, we don’t claim to be the owners of it, it is just something that was happening before, and we have been promoting through our page.” Mr Lockhart went on to say that while it was too late to organise in time for next Sunday – he hoped that the group could work with the local council in order to make it an event for all next year. “We want to make it an event everyone can enjoy. “We’d love to work with the council to organise things properly and make it something everyone’s happy with.” While many have criticised the car cruising scene for anti-social elements, Mr Lockhart instead said that the cruises were a positive outlet for many youngsters. “We’ve people coming from England, Poland, Germany – the Irish car scene is known all over the world,” he said. “For many, the car scene is an escape, it is their hobby. “You’ll see people in the scene who pour their heart and soul into their cars and they are spending their money on that rather than spending it on drugs or drink. “Sometimes you’ll get younger lads who’ve just passed their test and want a car that makes a lot of noise. But we see ourselves as genuine car enthusiasts. We take pride in our vehicles – we’re really passionate and look after them.” Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page MORE than 60 loyalist bands are to descend on Portrush for a major parade on the penultimate evening of the Open Championship in July Details of the march were revealed to members of Causeway Coast and Glens Council on Tuesday evening during an update on off-course entertainment plans for the thousands of visitors expected in town Council officials said they have been “working closely” with Portrush Sons of Ulster to facilitate the parade on Saturday the R&A plus TUV Councillor Allister Kyle have also been involved in preparations Councillors heard their officers’ own plans for music entertainment and a ‘pyrotechnic display’ would be focused on the previous evening we are working closely with Portrush Sons of Ulster to facilitate the band parade for the Saturday night of the Open,” the council’s Director of Tourism Peter Thompson told elected members “We don’t plan to have any other major event activities on the Saturday We are going to do that on the Friday night Read the full story in this week's Chronicle Share your opinions on Alpha Newspaper Group Stay connected to us to get the latest news and updates Rosie O’Neil from St Mary’s Primary School Conor McDermott from St Teresa’s Primary School Tom Jo Shibu from St Mary’s Primary School and Eva Harper from St Teresa’s Primary School as The Epic Journey to The 153rd Open teed off at Belfast City Hall (William Cherry/Presseye) The Epic Journey to The 153rd Open swung into Belfast City Hall (William Cherry/Presseye) Georgia and Rosie from St Teresa’s Primary School at Belfast City Hall (William Cherry/Presseye) The stop-off at Belfast City Hall was part of a four-leg journey to build excitement and extend a giant welcome to the world ahead of The Open’s return to Royal Portrush in July (William Cherry/Presseye) Staff ReporterThu 1 May 2025 at 19:21The Epic Journey to The 153rd Open stops off in Portrush on Friday with preparations already in full swing to welcome the world’s best golfers to the north coast this summer This free public event will showcase Northern Ireland’s growing reputation as a must-visit destination for golfers while sports fans will have the chance to take photos with the world-famous Claret Jug Tourism Northern Ireland teed off their Epic Journey at Belfast City Hall on Monday before the drive to Kerr Street Green in Portrush on Friday (11am until 1pm) and then the short chip shot to Londonderry’s Ebrington Square on May 7 on May 21 at O’Connor Square - the home of the 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was an overwhelming success story and there’s no reason to doubt this summer’s return to the famous Dunluce Links course – from July 13 to 20 – will be any different The action was beamed to more than 100m viewers worldwide in 2019 and the championship generated over £100m in economic benefit for the region said the championship created a tangible feel-good factor right across Northern Ireland when it last took place here She said: “Northern Ireland is ready to extend a giant welcome to thousands of visitors from around the globe for The 153rd Open and to showcase the stunning Causeway Coast “Bringing the Claret Jug on this epic journey to The 153rd Open allows us all to get involved in the build-up and the excitement to what promises to be an unforgettable week “Northern Ireland is made for golf and hosting The 153rd Open solidifies our reputation as a destination for world-class golf tourism and hospitality and allows us to showcase our rich culture natural beauty and warm welcome to visitors from around the world.” The Epic Journey to The 153rd Open will also include a giant #TheOpen letter sculpture designed by Tourism NI and made out of 4,000 golf balls 2014 Open champion and recent Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details 2025 at 6:00am BSTTwo thousand people and more than 60 bands are expected to turn out at a loyalist parade during the Open Championship in Portrush later this summer will feature 64 loyalist flute bands the night before the finale of the major golf tournament on the north coast one of the four major golf tournaments and the only one to be held outside the US returns to Royal Portrush in July having hosted the prestigious event six years ago Almost 280,000 tickets have been sold for the event which is being billed as the biggest tourist attraction of the year An application to the Parades Commission states that 64 bands will be in attendance at the parade on Saturday 19 July with a total of 2,000 participants expected The parade will kick off at around 8pm from and progress through Main Street in the town with the final and deciding round of the Open to begin hours after its finish The event is one of the biggest dates in Northern Ireland’s tourism calendar with the lucrative golf fan market rolling into town for the tournament between 13 and 20 July A meeting of the local Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council earlier this month heard officials have been “working closely” with Portrush Sons of Ulster and the golf body Royal & Ancient (R&A) to facilitate the parade. Councillors were told the local council’s own plans for music, entertainment and a pyrotechnics show would take place on the Friday night so they “wouldn’t compete” with the band parade. “The plan, as it stands at the moment, is we are working closely with Portrush Sons of Ulster to facilitate the band parade which has been detailed for the Saturday night,” Director of Tourism at the council, Peter Thompson said. “We don’t plan to have any other major activities or event activities on the Saturday night. “We wouldn’t compete with that, there’s no point in competing with it. We’re going to have large crowds in Portrush until 11 o’clock at night on Saturday anyway.” The R&A declined to comment on its involvement with parade organisers. A band parade was also held in Portrush during the 2019 hosting of the event, with former CEO of the golfing organisation Martin Slumbers saying at the time in response to the parade that “as guests we are very conscious that we want to be part of the community.” A Tourism NI spokesperson said: “We are aware that discussions are taking place with the parade organiser in relation to the scheduled parade in Portrush on July 19. “Tourism Northern Ireland is not involved in these discussions, but will work with all partners to ensure the smooth delivery of The 153rd Open.” Dozens of fines and other sanctions were handed out as hundreds of modified cars descended on Portrush over the weekend for the annual ‘Port Cruise’ Many drivers’ journeys were cut short as PSNI officers handed out fines and immediate MOT tests The social video, shared widely online following the annual event shows a group pushing a parked car onto its side. Onlookers filming the event can then be heard cheering as the bright yellow vehicle topples over. Locals said that the vehicle belonged to an elderly man who works in the town. The incident is understood to have happened in the Eglinton Street area of Portrush, across from the town’s train station. It is thought that some of the men in the footage had travelled to Northern Ireland from Scotland to take part in the cruise. The incident happened in the hours after the annual Easter Sunday car cruise, which sees car enthusiasts from across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe flock to the Causeway coast. The event has previously been marred by controversy as local residents complained about noise and antisocial behaviour. Social media profiles, including the Port Car Scene group, had been promoting the Easter Sunday cruise with TikTok videos showing modified and classic cars in the area gaining tens of thousands of views. In a statement, following the news, Port Car Scene condemned the behaviour. “It’s clowns like this that ruin it for the rest of us. Hopefully it gets dealt with fast,” they said. Alliance councillor Richard Stewart has previously worked with car enthusiasts partaking in the event in order allay local fears. He told The Irish News that the latest incident will only fuel the fears of locals about the annual event. “As far as I’m aware, it was an elderly person’s car – someone who works in the town – and they’ve been left absolutely devastated,” he said. “Sadly, there’s always a few individuals who have to ruin it for everybody else. “I want to make it clear that this kind of behaviour is not welcome and it’s damaging for everyone involved. “We need officers on the ground, walking through the town – not just stationed at designated areas checking cars." He added that more should have been done to prevent the incident. “I’ve also asked anyone who recognises those in the video to pass on names to the police so those responsible can be held accountable.” The PSNI say they are currently probing footage of the incident. “Police are aware of a video on social media of criminal damage to a yellow coloured vehicle, which is believed to have occurred at the Eglington Street area of Portrush and are currently making enquiries,” they said in a statement. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image Police are conducting enquiries after wide circulation of footage online that appears to show a group of men toppling a parked car outside Portrush train station A PSNI spokesperson said that “police are aware of a video on social media of criminal damage to a yellow coloured vehicle which is believed to have occurred at the Eglington Street area of Portrush and are currently making enquiries” "Anyone with any information in relation to this incident, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 597 21/04/25. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.” which has been shared hundreds of times across social media apps including Facebook and TikTok shows around six men attempting to push over a yellow stationary car It is believed that the men are Scottish tourists A separate video shows the car toppled over onto its side One group that shared the footage captioned it with the statement: “We’ve got no issue with the Scots coming over for Easter Weekend — but this kind of carry-on "It’s clowns like this that ruin it for the rest of us Boutique Hotelier Marine & Lawn Hotels will open the Portrush Adelphi Hotel in Northern Ireland on April 21 Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners announced the acquisition of the hotel in December 2022 with plans to operate the site under its Marine & Lawn Hotels portfolio a collection of hotels in renowned golf destinations The hotel closed in May last year to undergo a major renovation which has seen its room count increased from 28 to 34 as well as refurbishments to the guest rooms public spaces and the introduction of a new food and beverage concept Bedrooms feature a rich palette of jewel tones and bespoke furnishings while bathrooms are stocked with a range of products from Floris the world’s oldest independent family perfumer The Red Sail Room is a new high-end Italian dining concept which served Italian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients The dining room is adorned with oak leaf wallpaper and whitewashed wooden panelling while oil paintings throughout the restaurant depict scenes of the local sea and coastline president of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts commented: “We are delighted to expand Marine & Lawn’s footprint in Northern Ireland with the opening of Portrush Adelphi the town of Portrush is an iconic golf destination Portrush is experiencing strong tailwinds with rising tourism We’re proud to bring our distinct approach to hospitality to such a dynamic destination.” The Portrush Adelphi was first opened in June 2006 by Mark and Amanda Holmes Marine & Lawn Hotels also counts the Slieve Donard hotel in Co Down in its portfolio which was acquired by AJ Capital Partners in 2021 from the Hastings family and relaunched in 2023 following a £16 million refurbishment The portfolio now comprises six properties across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, including Marine Troon in Ayrshire Portrush is home to the famous Royal Portrush golf course which is part of the rotation of courses for the Open Championships It last hosted the world’s oldest golf tournament in 2019 – the first time since 1951 Royal Portrush will host The Open again in 2025 which will bring golf stars and fans from around the world to the north coast Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced that a £330,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on A2 Bushmills Road / Dunluce Road Portrush will commence on Monday 24 March 2025 The resurfacing scheme will extend approximately 1.15km along the A2 Bushmills/Dunluce Road from the Bushmills Road roundabout towards Bushmills (past the entrance to The Skerries Holiday Park) "This is a substantial investment for the Portrush area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users The investment demonstrates my commitment to improving our road network which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out.” To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to initially implement a road closure for the first three days followed by lane closures for the remainder of the works.  Details below:- The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience while measures have been taken to accommodate local access road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions.  the works will be substantially complete by Friday 11 April 2025 however the Department will keep the public informed of any change For more information about this and other improvement schemes visit: Trafficwatchni Accepting all cookies will ensure you have the best experience possible when visiting TheOpen.com Some of these cookies are necessary to make our site work while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used Darren Clarke called it a masterpiece. Tiger Woods talked about the quirks which made it so special. And Shane Lowry said the players were all raving about how good it was Royal Portrush was given a glowing review by the world’s best golfers when The Open returned to Northern Ireland in 2019 and the buoyant atmosphere it helped generate all set the scene for an iconic Championship we rewound six years to see what the talk of the locker room was at Royal Portrush last time around and few know how to navigate links golf quite like he does He pointed to how different the course had played to most links venues he’s used to and shared some interesting insight on how players need to adapt to the setting The three-time Champion Golfer said: “This is just a wonderful golf course [A lot] depends on the wind and what it does “The difference between this layout versus most of the Open layouts is that the ball seems to repel around the greens a lot You're going to have a lot of either bump-and-run chips [or] slow putts coming up the hills But it's an unbelievable golf course.” Rickie Fowler felt that the course challenged players in different ways “I think this golf course is a great test," he said "It's very different from what I've seen from a lot of traditional links golf courses There are a lot of more forced carries and doglegs “It does force you to play the ball in the air a bit more and test your ball-striking." Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth finished in T11 and T20 respectively and they also highlighted how much of a test Portrush posed the field I feel that it's just a great test of golf You're going to have some holes with some short irons “I think it's just a tremendous golf course.” Spieth won the Claret Jug two years earlier at Royal Birkdale and said Portrush “showed its teeth” but spoke about the magic of being there “It’s got a lot of character to it that maybe won’t be recognised by just seeing it on TV which makes it really special,” he added Clarke knows Royal Portrush better than most and in 2019 was given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot Although he missed the cut after rounds of 71 and 74, the 2011 Champion Golfer said it’s quite simple – good golf will “If you play well around Portrush you should have the opportunity to score well If you're missing too many shots you're not going to get around Portrush “That's why it's a Harry Colt masterpiece.” There are many things which make Royal Portrush a special place A host of players said they’d never experienced an atmosphere quite like it – and an Irish winner in Lowry certainly helped turn the volume up a few notches Lowry paid tribute to the support he received throughout the week and reflected on a special moment as he closed in on the Claret Jug telling media: “It was just incredible to walk down 18 Olé." It's like something that I just couldn't believe was happening to me.” Tommy Fleetwood’s week was bettered only by Lowry with the Englishman finishing in second place And although he was disappointed not to lift the Claret Jug the atmosphere generated made a big impression I think it's amazing for the sport," he said "I think the tournament has done itself proud They've shown how great the game is and how good it is to watch “The atmosphere for us as golfers was just great you can't help but appreciate and love what today was.” It was Lowry who emerged triumphant at the end of The 148th Open and he lifted the Claret Jug to the delight of the home crowd his performance on the course wasn’t the only thing he got right that week – his predictions were also on point He said: “Everybody was raving about the golf course I'd be very surprised if it's not back here in the next ten years Matt Fitzpatrick finished T20 marking his best performance at The Open to date and he also made no bones about his desire to return to County Antrim He told the assembled media that the course had been fantastic throughout the Championship Fitzpatrick and Lowry are two of the players already exempt for The 153rd Open and they’ll be teeing up when golf’s original championship is back in Northern Ireland this summer Sports Journalist Adam McKendry plays a round of golf at Royal Portrush I’m going to start this all off with a quick disclaimer: I am not Rory McIlroy That seems like a very obvious way to start a piece about golf – if you think all of us writing about the sport are professionals at it My golf game ranges somewhere from the majestic in flashes to the downright disastrous and sometimes the two happen in the same hole In winter, when the winds blow icily and crowds are nowhere to be seen, it’s stunningly beautiful. In fact, if you stand at the tip of the harbour arm – the outlook a blur of sky and sea – Portrush can feel like the blustery end of the world. Some call it “the Brighton of the North,” but this County Antrim seaside town on the north coast of Northern Ireland is much more scenic with its mile-long peninsula and vast sandy beaches And yet, in the past “people saw Portrush as seasonal,” says Mark Rogers, who runs Landmark Luxury travel agency A Portrush local who’s been showing visitors around for 12 years he says that “for a long time it was simply a summertime location.” Giants CausewayGetty ImagesLike many beauty spots, the town’s backstory is a rags-to-riches yarn of a fishing village transformed by railways. The nine-mile tramway link, opened in 1893, helped travellers reach the Giant’s Causeway, and by the end of the 19th century, Portrush became one of Ireland’s most popular resorts As with many UK hotspots, Portrush suffered mixed fortunes in the 20th century, but in 2025 its star is again on the rise – particularly within the town’s gastronomic scene. “The food is so much better here now,” Rogers says. “Just before Covid, Northern Ireland Tourism framed their campaign for that year around food and drink and it was then that you could see the standard starting to rise – the smallest cafe became aware that it had to be right up there in order for them to attract custom.” Add to this the fashion for personalised trips and visitors’ desire to “experience everything Northern Ireland has to offer,” and you have “an all-year-round industry,” he says Golf is nonetheless a thing: the challenging Royal Portrush golf course was founded in 1888 and is ranked among the world’s top 10 After the Open Championships last rolled into town in 2019 (it had previously been held here in 1951) and with the return of the 153rd Open Championship in July visitors can enjoy a flurry of new developments founded in 1929 and still Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event and go home and feel connected to this part of the world and its people,” he says The Marcus Hotel PortrushThe best hotels in PortrushPortrush Adelphi who specialise in resorts alongside some of the world’s best golf courses expect a 5-star reopening in April with 34 rooms and suites a fine dining Italian restaurant on the ground floor and adjoining chic bar that’s sure to be a centre of activity in the Open which opened three years ago and overlooks Portandoo Harbour its rooms ablaze with bohemian patterns and textures its cocktail bar a low-lit retreat for a cheeky negroni or two and the restaurant serves afternoon tea by day and stone-baked pizza in the evening Dunluce LodgeNick Callaghan PhotographyDunluce Lodge Along the coast road, near White Rocks beach, is the brand new £16.5million 5-star Dunluce Lodge set alongside the fourth fairway in lush gardens with views across to the uninhabited Skerries Islands visitors can retreat to a rejuvenating spa set in woodlands or test the onsite putting green designed by golf architect Martin Ebert The resort’s 35 suites boast outlandishly large beds free-standing baths and spacious rain showers cocktail bar and relaxed dining room (see below) You half expect Sean Connery to stroll in donning black tie a simple seafood restaurant in a converted boathouse for fat butter-soft scallops with charred pork belly This is cooking that’s robust and hearty: perfect after a windy walk around the headland Address: Old Lifeboat Shelter, Portrush BT56 8AYWebsite: shantyportrush.com At Dunluce Lodge’s elegant restaurant Bailú (Gaelic for ‘gathering’) acclaimed Fermanagh-born chef Stephen Holland is quietly at the helm The emphasis is entirely on produce from the region an outstanding venison loin from County Tyrone caramelised macadamia nut and red wine jus Address: Dunluce House, Dunluce Rd, Portrush BT56 8NBWebsite: dunlucelodge.com A winner in Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 UK's Top New Restaurant Awards located in the old Yacht Club building on a quiet stretch of the River Bann overlooking Coleraine Marina Owners Rebekah and chef Stevie McCarry adopt a zero-waste policy as well as less popular species like ling and dogfish: unique creations include ling kebabs hake ‘chorizo’ and cod belly schnitzel smothered in an unctuous brandy mushroom sauce Less daring diners will nonetheless enjoy the wildly popular haddock tacos or Kentucky fried monkfish burger Address: Marina, Lir, 66 Portstewart Rd, Coleraine BT52 1EYWebsite: lirseafood.com For outstanding coffee and homemade focaccia sandwiches stroll twenty minutes from Portrush centre to this artisan bakery on the outskirts of town Brunch and lunch options include a signature smoked chicken club sandwich packed with chive mayo And the petite gateaux are items of beauty from the lemon meringue cake to the red rose velvet (be warned: they sell out quickly) Address: 39 Magheraboy Rd, Portrush BT56 8NXWebsite: arborbakery.net Ruins of Dunluce CastleGetty ImagesWhat to do in PortrushRamore Head With its singular setting, there are superb walks on both West and East Strands, the promenades enlivened by useful info plaques narrating the story of the town, from the dolerite rock used to build the harbour to the onset of Victorian passenger steamer services. But to gain a real perspective on Portrush’s peninsula location, surrounded by water on three sides, climb the path from the harbour up to the grassy headland at Ramore Head for awe-inspiring panoramic 360-degree views. Arcadia Beach Café and Art GalleryGetty ImagesA mooch on Main Street Surfers will thrill at the West Bay, its prevailing north Atlantic swell serving arguably the best waves in Ireland: it’s also considered a fine beach for all levels of competency. And if you need a spot of tuition, book a session with Portrush Surf School, which has been running for thirty years. For a lazier day, if the sun is out, the golden sands on all three beaches are justly famed to sprawl on a towel and catch some rays. A pint of Guinness is a must in the Harbour Bar, one of the oldest on the north coast, its walls adorned with golfing memorabilia, artefacts and ephemera, its cosy central snug raucous whatever the time of day. If it’s too rammed, try the lesser-known local haunt Springhill Bar, a few minutes’ walk away, or The Quays, just near the station. For a more contemporary bar vibe, pull up a stool at Urban, near the Blue Flea antique shop. Point to Point racing returns to Portrush on Saturday Point to point racing returns to Portrush this weekend Always a popular attraction on the north coast Preparations for the event have been ongoing with the full course having been spiked with a verti-drainer and watering taking place According to the Irish Point to Point website the track will continue to be watered until Friday with rain forecast on Friday night into Saturday morning "The popular seaside venue always draws a big crowd on the north coast and racegoers will be hoping to see the locally-owned Winged Leader in action in the day’s feature race the Kellys Portrush Open," said a spokesperson on the website."The reigning champion point-to-pointer could bring his tally of point-to-point wins to 30 if he was successful on Saturday as he continues his quest to become the all-time winning-most horse in the point-to-point sphere."The card begins at 1pm with the Dennison Commercials four-year-old maiden "Races in that age group are always hotly contested at Portrush with the four-year-old maiden winner at the venue’s autumn fixture last October having already won a bumper at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival after topping the November sale in Cheltenham when bought by Gordon Elliott Racing for £330,000." The action takes place at 54 Loguestown Road just outside Portrush Gates open at 11.30am and there will be on site parking Admission is £10 per adult with children under 16 going free                                                       You’ll be able to follow every moment of the action when The Open returns to Royal Portrush this summer will see world’s best golfers make their way to the County Antrim coast to compete for the iconic Claret Jug And whether you want to watch the drama unfold on television tune in to the moments that matter on radio or keep across every twist and turn on our websites and app Here are all the ways you can follow The 153rd Open as it happens You’ll be able to see the very best of the action – including featured group coverage – live on R&A TV Our Par-3 Channel will also be back for The 153rd Open covering two of the most famous along with Live at The Range in partnership with HSBC Find out more about R&A TV's Championship coverage here and a wealth of expert commentary and analysis with more than 50 hours of live coverage through The Open Radio This will be available globally via The Open website It will also be broadcast on talkSPORT 2 in the UK and Sirius XM in the United States More info on The Open Radio coverage can be found here The action from Royal Portrush will be broadcast all across the globe with more than 30 broadcast partners televising The 153rd Open across 199 countries and territories More information on these broadcast partners can be found here Keep tabs on every big moment – every birdie every eagle and every leaderboard change – right here on TheOpen.com You’ll be able to follow all the updates on our live blog and delve deeper into the biggest talking points with a host of feature articles available throughout the Championship For comprehensive coverage – and a host of fantastic features – download The Open App for free, on iOS and Android You’ll be able to access live coverage on R&A TV and The Open Radio The app will also host a dedicated Spectator Guide and course map providing ticket holders everything they need to know before and during the Championship No one knows the storylines that will be written into history during The 153rd Open The people of Portrush will delight in the return of golf’s original Championship Six years on from Shane Lowry’s captivating, crowd-pleasing capture of the Claret Jug in County Antrim Royal Portrush will host The Open for the third time this July Lowry’s emphatic triumph in 2019 put the seal on a truly memorable week as huge numbers of spectators embraced the Championship being held in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951 the long-serving head professional of Royal Portrush who enjoyed the thrill of playing in The 148th Open as a marker has no doubt another wonderful atmosphere is in prospect this summer "It's fantastic,” McNeill told The R&A “It took 68 years for The Open to come back here and here we are six years later “The economy benefits from this greatly - I think it was something like £100m went into the local economy in 2019 so it's marvellous for this part of the world “The public really get behind the likes of The Open here and the businesses in this area they'll all be prepped and ready for it coming “It was a great success in 2019 and I suppose it's hard to know what the outcome of the Championship is going to be but you do know that people are very excited about it again and they're very much looking forward to seeing all these great players and enjoying the occasion "I grew up through the Troubles here in Northern Ireland and for many years Even having pop concerts and things like that Northern Ireland was not a place a lot of people came to and certainly a lot of sporting occasions and things like that - the stuff that we enjoy now - didn't happen back then “So people really get behind anything that comes to these shores now and you could see that and feel that with the build-up to 2019 “The anticipation of a big event like this coming here and the greatest players in the game - Tiger Woods for example - those are really special things for Northern Ireland and the people will support it once again.” Nobody knows the Dunluce Links better than McNeill who has now served as Portrush’s head professional for over 25 years A truly striking Championship course boasting spectacular dunes and dramatic changes in elevation this is a venue to stir the emotions of any golfer Yet McNeill believes a less eye-catching quality is key to his club’s popularity with the world’s greatest players “One of the things about Royal Portrush is how fair it is,” he added “The players enjoy the challenge of it and the fairness A player can see where they're going to drive the ball to from the tee and they can see the second shot as well So it's all there in front of you and no two holes are consecutively running in the same direction [Course manager] Graeme Beatt and his team have got this place in magnificent shape the standards of the greens and the surrounds and the fairways and the tee boxes “It's a marvellous challenge … and we can't wait.” Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced that a £607,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on A26 Frosses Road (Portrush Road Roundabout) and B62 Ballybogey Road / Portrush Road is commencing today The resurfacing scheme will include the Portrush Road Roundabout and extend up to near the junction with Queens Avenue “This is a substantial investment for the Ballymoney area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to various road closures as detailed below:  B62 Ballybogey/Portrush Road closure: Thursday 13 March to Friday 14 March signed diversionary routes will be in place via: C92 Newbridge Road – C92 Coleraine Road – B62 Coleraine Road – B62 Charles Street – B66 Market Street – B66 Knock Road – A26 Frosses Road – B62 Ballybogey Road and vice versa A26 Frosses Road (Portrush Road Roundabout) and B62 Ballybogey/Portrush Road closure: Tuesday 18 March until Saturday 22 March between the hours of 7 pm and 6.30 am Diversion 1 (Eastbound/Westbound traffic): C92 Newbridge Road – C92 Coleraine Road – B62 Coleraine Road – B62 Charles Street – B66 Market Street – B66 Knock Road and vice versa Diversion 2: (Southbound/Northbound traffic): B67 Benvardin Road – B66 Castlecatt Road – B66 Knock Road – A26 Frosses Road and vice versa B62 Ballybogey/Portrush Road closure: Monday 24 March until Friday 28 March Access will be available to residents and emergency vehicles only Road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions the works will be substantially complete by Friday 28 March 2025 Following Xander Schauffele’s sensational surge to victory at Royal Troon, the countdown to The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is underway Read on for everything you need to know about the next staging of golf’s original Championship This article will be updated with additional information as it becomes available The Championship will take place from 13-20 July 2025 with practice rounds taking place at Royal Portrush from Sunday 13 July and the first round of The 153rd Open taking place on Thursday 17 July Tickets for The 153rd Open were distributed via a ballot, with general admission tickets for all eight days of the Championship selling out in record time a range of Premium Experiences – offering world-class hospitality paired with superior views of the action – are still available Demand is expected to rise as the remaining experiences approach a sell-out so now is the time to guarantee your place at Royal Portrush Find out more about hospitality for The Open in 2025 and 2026 A host of global broadcast partners will televise The 153rd Open, including NBC / Golf Channel in the United States and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. In all, more than 30 broadcast partners will be televising the Championship across 199 countries and territories Fans will also be able to watch a host of live streams on R&A TV and Live at The Range in partnership with HSBC In addition, The Open Radio will offer more than 50 hours of live coverage and will be available across the globe through The Open website In the UK it will also be broadcast on talkSPORT 2 and on Sirius XM in the United States The Open website and app will feature comprehensive coverage of the Championship including live scoring and exclusive features so you can delve deeper into all the action as it happens Our Plan Your Day page contains all the key information you need if you are attending The 153rd Open, including a venue guide and information on how tickets will be delivered digitally via The Open Tickets App. You can also find guidance on the various ways you can travel to Portrush on our Getting There page If you have any questions regarding your attendance at The Open, visit our Help Centre Tourism Northern Ireland have also produced a detailed guide for fans planning a trip to Portrush for The 153rd Open, which you can read here Players can qualify for The 153rd Open via a number of different routes Previous Champions are among the players already exempt from qualification, with several exemption categories in place Players not exempt can qualify through routes including the Open Qualifying Series, while Regional and Final Qualifying events are open to professional and amateur golfers worldwide who meet the entry criteria Portrush is staging The Open for the third time. Max Faulkner claimed the Claret Jug in 1951, when Portrush became the first course outside Scotland and England to host the Championship, while Shane Lowry memorably triumphed when The Open returned to the County Antrim coast in 2019. Close002011 Open champion Darren Clarke and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell have had holes named after them at Royal Portrush golf course in Northern Ireland The venue will host the Open Championship in July this year Read more from McDowell on the future of golf here Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreRoyal Portrush names holes after major champions Clarke & McDowell 00:01:30Royal Portrush names holes after major champions Clarke & McDowell 1:30Up Next 'I want to win all the majors' - McIlroy to BBC Sport NI in 1998 00:00:39'I want to win all the majors' - McIlroy to BBC Sport NI in 1998 0:39'A long time coming' - BBC Sport NI's interview with McIlroy 00:06:26'A long time coming' - BBC Sport NI's interview with McIlroy 6:26Watch: Cooked dinners & own bed - McIlroy 'excited to be home' for Irish Open 00:01:27Watch: Cooked dinners & own bed - McIlroy 'excited to be home' for Irish Open 1:27Watch: Tyrone panel has 'never been as strong' - McCurry 00:01:05Watch: Tyrone panel has 'never been as strong' - 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meet the craftsman who makes O'Sullivan's cues Video 00:02:09'He's quite fussy!' - meet the craftsman who makes O'Sullivan's cues 2:09Yamal is a genius Ahead of its staging of the 153rd Open Championship next year, Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of a new general manager.  Following the previous General Manager John Lawler’s move to take up a similar role at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon the County Antrim club will welcome his replacement on December 2 when Danny Campbell takes up his duties who was Commercial Director of the St Andrews Links Trust from 1999-2023 arrives at Portrush from a US golf clothing company a co-educational day and boarding school in St Andrews which also runs a golfing academy for young people Campbell has more than 20 years of experience as a Senior Executive at St Andrews where he was responsible for delivering the St Andrews experience to over 3,000 local club members and the thousands of visitors who play there every year He also worked closely with The R&A in negotiating four Open Championship host venue agreements the Walker Cup and three Women’s Open Championships Under Armour Golf has appointed Craig Hollingworth to the position of UK Sales Director England Golf is reporting that April was a record-breaking month for scores submitted through the World Handicap System with over 1.4 million scores submitted in England during what was the sunniest April ever recorded Following the news of the theft of over £2 million of stock from its Manchester warehouse last weekend Worldwide Golf Brands reports that the business is 'back up and running' with minimal disruption to the vast majority of its customers GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course We aim to supply essential information both quickly and accurately in a format which is easy to use We are independent of all special interest groups Click here to sign up for our free twice weekly golf industry news summary View the latest newsletter here 5/7 High StreetDorchester-on-ThamesOxfordshire OX10 7HHUnited Kingdom publisher@golfbusinessnews.com © 1999-2025 e.GolfBusiness.com Limited | All Rights Reserved. | GBN Privacy Policy Few people know the setting for The 153rd Open quite like Gary McNeill does But the surroundings at Royal Portrush were far from familiar as the club’s long-serving head professional stood on the first tee on moving day when golf’s original Championship last took place at the venue in 2019 With hundreds of spectators crowded around the tee box, and his every move captured by live TV crews, McNeill can recall the nervous energy running through his body as he placed his tee in the ground, ready to get his round underway at The 148th Open He was playing as the marker alongside Paul Waring on the course he knew inside out – and although it felt like unfamiliar territory at the time a safe shot down the first followed and the day turned out to be one he’d never forget Six years on McNeill recalls the special memories made during his round on Saturday and hasn’t ruled out doing it all over again when the Championship returns to Royal Portrush in July and very glad to get off that first tee,” McNeill said “What I remembered about it was being called and how quiet it all went Our first tee is not a big area so you really get the impression that the people are right on top of you “Of course once you set up over the golf ball and you get ready to swing That first tee shot was one he’d played over many times in his mind but it was another moment McNeill has been reliving the most in the past six years He added: “I've sat in the grandstands many many times at Opens and watched golfers play the 18th hole “But to have that experience up the 18th “It was one of those experiences that you'll just remember forever.” which included wins at both the Irish Boys Championship and the Irish Amateur Championship Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington have both reaped rewards from his expertise on the range while video sessions with Darren Clarke saw the two become good friends After learning that the Championship would be taking place at the course he calls home in 2019 – the first time it had returned to Northern Ireland in 68 years - and with his round as marker looming large "Traditionally it falls on the club pro's lap to either do it or nominate someone to do it but I hadn't really been competing very much at all and any golf I played I was playing here at the club “I went back out and I started to play in just whatever I could play in - pro-ams “I went off and started to practice a bit more and play a little bit more and then come the year of the Championship itself I entered regional qualifying I obviously didn't qualify but I took a few things away from that “By the time The Open came here I had been playing and practicing a bit McNeill played as marker on both the Saturday and Sunday and has many reminders from the weekend – a now iconic weekend which saw Shane Lowry triumph as Champion Golfer of the Year in front of a partisan Irish crowd. “It was a wonderful experience and I've got some great photographs. [The broadcaster] cut all the footage as well, because they record everything, so I've got 30 minutes of footage from Saturday and about 30 minutes from Sunday. “So I've got that always to look back on.” He now can’t wait for the Championships to return to the venue this summer, and left the door open to a possible second stint as marker. He added: “It's a special thing to do. I’m not sure if I'm going to do it again. Plenty of colleagues are prepared to step in. “I think if I did, it would certainly be the last chance I would have to do it. “It's six years further down the line and when you're in your mid-50s everything hurts a little more, so I'm going to have to see how things go. “I've been captain of the PGA over in Ireland so I've been playing more than I had been. We'll see how things go over the next couple of months.” McNeill's participation in this year’s Championship might be up in the air right now, but what’s for sure is that there will be many more special memories made when The 153rd Open arrives at Royal Portrush in July. The opening of new venues like Dunluce Lodge has pushed up general manager salaries to as much as £95,000 New openings on the north coast coupled with low unemployment have pushed salaries in the hospitality industry to as much as £95,000 for a general manager, a report has said. A range of hotels are opening in anticipation of The Open’s return to Royal Portrush in July, including the new, luxury Dunluce Lodge, the relaunch of Roe Park Resort under the ownership of Galgorm Collection and the opening of The Marcus by Andras Hotels. It is only the third time the north coast links has hosted Golf's oldest major having received the honour in 1951 and 2019 Organisers are busy preparing to welcome more than 250,000 people to the town in what will be a major boost for tourism the planet’s best golfers will fight it out at Royal Portrush for the famous Claret Jug Duelling with the dunes over 72 holes in the 153rd chapter of Open Championship history there are a few more that really make a difference More than 100 million homes will watch the Open Championship in more than 190 countries and upwards of 250,000 people will attend the tournament Tourism NI's Director of Events says those figures are priceless: "This is a money can't buy opportunity "We know the visitors will not only be enjoying this fantastic event but going and exploring right across Northern Ireland "We only have to look at the success of 2019 to estimate what that might mean We know it generated £100m worth of economic and media benefit and we are expecting 2025 to be bigger and better." Bigger and better means more places are needed for golf fans to sleep and eat and the impact of The oldest golf tournament in the world being held on the north coast is clear to see the only five-star accommodation in the area it's general manager Stephen Meldrum says the importance of The Open cannot be understated: "This property was born out of the last Open that was held here in 2019 "the first Open creates a legacy and from the owner's point of view it was important to build something to create another opportunity for guests to come to the area when the Open Championship returns and hopefully it will return for many years to come." The benefits of hosting one of the UK's largest sporting events is clear to see but getting the course set up to standard is a difficult task the R&A's Executive Director of Championships is the man tasked with the job "There is a lot to be done," Johnnie says: We have built the contractors compound but we have to build a small village for over 250,000 people a lot bigger than the town of Portrush itself "We are now moving into grandstands and we will be building them up until the championship starts 40,000 sq metres of tentage begins in the middle of April Then we bring the TV compound in so we can beam pictures of this wonderful County Antrim coast Johnnie adds that while there is clearly a lot to do the R&A are well on track to completing the work on time Royal Portrush has also been making changes to help the spectators experience The chair of the club's Championship committee Ian Kerr says the addition of a second entrance to the venue and a second hospitality space will improve the visitor experience and help them deal with what could potentially be the record crowd for an Open Championship outside of St Andrews Catch up with the latest UTV Live on ITVX Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know News | UK The organisers of the Open Championship have expressed confidence they can manage McIlroy mania on the golf tournament’s return to Northern Ireland in July The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush is set to become the second best attended in history with almost 280,000 fans having snapped up tickets for the final major of the year The event was already a complete sell-out before home favourite Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam with his dramatic Masters victory at Augusta National Almost 1.1 million people applied in the public ticket ballot last year with 278,000 securing tickets across the practice days and four tournament days That is around 41,000 more than attended the Open when Shane Lowry triumphed at Royal Portrush in 2019 That year marked the first time the Open had been played in Northern Ireland since 1951 While the tickets for this year’s tournament were allocated long before the nerve-shredding conclusion at Augusta recently appointed R&A chief executive Mark Darbon acknowledged that the prospect of McIlroy teeing off on home turf as a Masters champion had added to the excitement around the Open’s third hosting in Northern Ireland “I think it’s brilliant for the sport of golf not just our own championship,” said Mr Darbon on a visit to Portrush on Tuesday “We’re delighted to see Rory etch his name in the history books.” He added: “I mean 2019 was a roaring success and so when we announced that we were coming back there was a lot of pent-up excitement for that return “I think the game of golf is in a good space as well it’s never been healthier in terms of the growth that we’re seeing there’s a lot of interest and excitement in the game right now Rory McIlroy winning the Masters a couple of weekends ago just adds to that excitement we’re looking forward to welcoming him here this summer too.” The record attendance at an Open came in 2022 at St Andrews when 290,000 attended the 150th staging of the tournament Prospect of Pope Francis visiting Northern Ireland had remained ‘live and open’ Ryder Cup 2025: Team Europe latest qualification standings Government accused of ‘sabotaging’ tourism with ‘barriers to travel’ How Give Your Best aims to solve clothing poverty in the UK Asked if the hype around McIlroy would present crowd management issues at Portrush in July Mr Darbon said he was confident the understandable spectator desire to catch a glimpse of the local hero could be managed “I think you’re always thinking through how do you manage the crowd effectively how do you get the experience right for spectators and other groups that we look after at one of these big events,” he told the PA news agency “I think it’s important to realise that the Open is more than just a golf event but it’s one of the biggest and best sporting events in the world and so we spend a lot of time in planning and thinking through how we orchestrate movements of crowds and other groups around the golf course He added: “I think Rory’s win is fantastic for the game of golf “I was lucky enough to be out in Augusta and it was an emotional and fantastic win “And I think the outpouring of emotion that you saw but from followers of the game more broadly “We think it kicks off what promises to be a brilliant summer of golf and we can’t wait to welcome people here to Royal Portrush.” The R&A has pointed to an independent forecast by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University that estimates this year’s tournament will generate more than £213 million in total economic benefit for Northern Ireland making it the biggest sporting event ever staged in the region The Open’s return to the island of Ireland comes as the R&A continues to scope out the feasibility of holding a future Open at Portmarnock near Dublin Mr Darbon said while “progress” was being made in regard to the potential of an Open in the Republic of Ireland he declined to offer a timeline “We’re going through a big feasibility study exercise right now with support from the local authorities and the (Irish) government,” he said “We’re really getting under the skin of whether and how and when we can stage a championship at Portmarnock Mr Darbon was also asked about whether Turnberry in Scotland will return to the Open rota while it remains in the ownership of US President Donald Trump The R&A chief reiterated the organisation’s stance that the focus of any Open must be solely on the golf but he also voiced concerns around the infrastructure offering in and around the Ayrshire course “I think when we come to town with our Open Championship we’ve always got to be confident that the focus will be on the golf,” he said given the scale of a modern Open Championship we definitely have a few logistical and commercial challenges that we need to overcome at Turnberry if anything it’s better now than it ever has been given some of the improvements that have been made to the course but there are some challenges around the road and rail network some of the accommodation provision in the surrounding area and so we’re working on what a model could look like for the future.” With McIlroy completing the career grand slam at Augusta the Co Down star is now the only male golfer in 2025 who could achieve the elusive calendar grand slam of four majors in one year Mr Darbon reflected on the levels of excitement that Portrush would witness if McIlroy arrives in July having also won the USPGA and US Open titles I mean clearly he’s a talented athlete,” he said we pride ourselves on having one of if not the strongest field in the game of golf at our Open Championship I’m sure Rory’s got some unfinished business here.” Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet — Rihanna worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet Seven decades have passed since Brian Twite competed in The Open at Royal Portrush and his memories of the week remain as fresh as ever Twite, now aged 98, is believed to be the last surviving player from the historic 1951 Championship which was taking place in Northern Ireland for the first time With The Open back in County Antrim this summer his fascinating story has garnered media attention both in the UK and in Australia where he has spent almost all his adult life In a Championship which was eventually won by Max Faulkner – by two from Antonio Cerda – Twite recalls playing well tee to green but struggling on the putting surface Although his flat stick was misfiring on the big stage he never lost faith in the club he bought for £2 just weeks before making his Championship bow he continued to use it throughout his entire golfing career which included decades as a Head Professional These days, with The 153rd Open – and the third at Royal Portrush – just around the corner memories of his visit to the Antrim coast have been flooding back Speaking to Inside Golf in Australia he recalled a round which began with some wise words of his playing partner – Scotsman Eric Brown – as they stood on the first tee He said: “Before we hit off he said to me remember you have to play around the wind here “That’s what I did and played well from tee to green I had 36 putts on the first day and 37 during the second round for two rounds of 81 and missed the cut “Brown had a total of 53 putts on the first two days and easily made the cut “The greens were very undulating and if you picked the wrong undulation worse off than you were with your approach shot.” found an unconventional route into The Open – and had it not been for a gushing compliment from a certain Champion Golfer he may not have even entered Speaking to The Telegraph he said: “I was 24 and had just come second in a trainees event at Hoylake – shooting 71 I promptly lost this money playing cards on the train travelling home to Abbeydale Golf Club in Sheffield where I was assistant professional “George Duncan [the 1920 Champion Golfer] was at Hoylake and told me he thought I had the best pair of golfing hands he had seen and suggested I enter The Open at Portrush.” he listened to the advice and went on to seal his spot at the Championship through qualifying at Portstewart and Portrush And although his short game cost him in the end he was left with special memories of the venue He added: “I thought Portrush was something else “I have since played all over the world but nothing I have played since was as good as Portrush.” Twite moved to Australia in 1953 and has lived there ever since He spent 39 years as the Head Professional at Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne’s Sandbelt region and later moved into coaching the game he loves He also wrote two autobiographical books telling the stories of his career – 'Rubbing Shoulders with the Greats' and 'Just Magnificent: Lessons from a Life in Golf' his contribution to the game means he’s a local legend in Melbourne In 2013 he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) by the Australian Government for his services to golf and community still reflecting on the magic of The Open when telling his own story 74 years on Many more stories are set to be etched into the history of golf’s original championship when it returns to Royal Portrush in July Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners, owners of the Marine & Lawn portfolio of golf hotels has announced the acquisition of the Atlantic Hotel in Portrush The move marks the third hotel in the region for the US-based firm which acquired Slieve Donard resort in 2021 and The Adelphi Hotel in Portrush in 2022 is to undergo a major refurbishment under its new owners which the room count increased from 28 to 34 Marine & Lawn will open the revamped Portrush Adelphi Hotel in spring next year with reservations for overnight stays available from April 1 will be open ahead of Royal Portrush Golf Club’s hosting of the 2025 Open Championship in July The Marine & Lawn portfolio now comprises six properties across Northern Ireland including Marine Troon in Ayrshire and the Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews When The Open returned to Royal Portrush in 2019 for the first time in nearly 70 years, it was universally hailed as a triumph. Shane Lowry’s emotional win on home soil the jaw-dropping views along the rugged Antrim coast – it had everything and the Claret Jug is coming back to Northern Ireland The R&A has revealed that a record-breaking 278,000 fans will descend on the iconic Dunluce Links for the 153rd Open Championship That’s the biggest attendance in the history of the Championship outside of St Andrews – and a clear sign that the appetite for major golf in the UK has never been stronger The attendance this year will surpass the previous high mark set at Royal Portrush six years ago when 237,750 fans celebrated Lowry’s six-shot victory over Tommy Fleetwood Only the 150th Open at St Andrews will be able to boost a higher attendance figure – with 290,000 fans present for Cam Smith’s triumph in 2022 “The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion,” says Mark Darbon “We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year.” Over one million people applied for tickets in the ballot and demand for Practice Day access has soared too with a record 89,000 spectators set to attend – smashing the 2019 total of 61,000 But the buzz isn’t just about bums on fairway-facing seats Independent research from Sheffield Hallam University estimates that the 153rd Open will generate £213 million in economic benefit for Northern Ireland That figure includes £63 million in direct economic impact and a whopping £150 million in destination marketing value thanks to global broadcast coverage The Open’s legacy initiatives continue to make a real difference More than 27,000 free tickets will be made available to kids under 16 through The R&A’s long-running ‘Kids Go Free’ scheme Discounted tickets for under-25s will also help make this Open one of the most accessible in history And with 4,600 fans already booked into the on-site Open Camping Village – 32% of them under 25 – the Championship is doubling down on creating a festival atmosphere 20,000 free bed nights have been offered to young fans The 2019 Open at Portrush set the benchmark but the 153rd Open is going to raise the bar again – and rewrite the history books in the process READ NEXT: 2025 Open Championship field – Who will tee up at Royal Portrush and how did they qualify? Rob has been a writer and editor for over 15 years including a hefty dose of golf. He’s played golf with tour pros and celebrities including Greg Norman and had a pull-up contest with Rory McIlroy He’s interviewed countless tour pros and will always have a soft spot for Tommy Fleetwood By Rob McGarr Contributing Editor (mainly contributing unwanted sarcasm and iffy golf takes The Open will return to Royal Portrush for the second time in six years when the spectacular County Antrim venue plays host to The 153rd Open Max Faulkner was the first player to earn the title of Champion Golfer in Northern Ireland, winning The 80th Open in 1951, while Shane Lowry recorded a hugely popular triumph in 2019 on a revamped course that featured two new holes The par-71 layout – featuring substantial sand hills, clifftop holes and a series of dramatic slopes and swales – was widely praised before, during and after The 148th Open Explore the natural magic of Royal Portrush’s most famous course with our hole-by-hole guide below Portrush is gearing up for the return of The Open A small army of workers has descended on Royal Portrush golf club to prepare the course for the prestigious Open championship three months ahead of Rory McIlroy and co teeing off which will see a staggering 2,000 lorry loads of materials arriving on site Carlos Ortiz, Patrick Reed and Jason Kokrak have qualified for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush through the International Series Macau presented by Wynn Ortiz won the Asian Tour event on 22-under-par to secure the first qualifying place while Reed was three shots further back on 19-under-par Kokrak claimed the final qualifying place after finishing third on 16-under-par It will be a second Open appearance for Mexican Ortiz who missed the cut on debut at Royal St George’s in 2021 2018 Masters champion Reed will compete for the Claret Jug for the tenth time with his best finish – 10th – coming at this year’s venue in 2019 Meanwhile Kokrak will tee it up in golf’s original major for the fifth time. His best performance was T26 in 2021 and his last appearance was at The 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022 The International Series Macau was the fifth event on the Open Qualifying Series which continues with the KOLON Korea Open in May.